Johnson C. Smith gets $5.7 million gift

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Johnson C. Smith University has received $5.7 million from The Duke Endowment for two new efforts, the Charlotte Observer reported Oct. 16.

The gift, thought to be the largest in the school’s history, will be used to launch the Center for Applied Leadership and Community Development, which aims to link the school more closely to the community by fostering collaborative work to address problems.

The Metropolitan College, which will be located on the university’s campus, will target non-traditional students and working adults.

The historically-black university also will use some of the funds to provide scholarships and financial aid in an effort to raise admissions standards.

“I don’t think there has been a time when we trustees have been more excited about this university than we are now,” Neil Williams, chair of The Duke Endowment’s education committee, says in a statement.